In its last published offer, the Dixon Education Association asked for a 4-percent pay increase, but made revisions to its offer Thursday. The board is asking the union to take a pay freeze, but promised teachers a counter-offer when negotiations resume Monday.

Sandi Sodergren-Baar, union president, said teachers understand there will be compromise from their latest published offer.

In their last contract, teachers agreed to a soft freeze, meaning those who qualified for the built-in raises based on experience or further education received them.

Just 11 miles down the road, Sterling teachers have agreed to a soft freeze in their contract for 2012 to 2014.

Sterling has about $7.9 million in its education fund, but is projecting a deficit of about $1.1 million. The education fund lost about $1.2 million last year.

Sterling’s district also has 3,513 students to Dixon’s 2,781, and one more elementary school.

By comparison, Dixon has about $4.2 million in its education fund, and projects a $1.6 million deficit. That deficit does not include any proposals teachers may negotiate.

Meridian and Oregon teachers also took a salary freeze, and Winnebago teachers are working without a contract. Byron teachers received a 4-percent salary increase.

Juenger is among the highest paid superintendents in Northwest Illinois.

In 2011, after 2 years without a raise, Juenger was offered a 4-year retirement package with a 6-percent raise each year. This year, Juenger will make a salary-plus-pension of $190,096. When he retires in 2015, his salary-plus-pension will be about $213,592.

Juenger said administrators have not received a raise this year, but they were given a 3-percent raise last year.

“They did not receive one the year before that, so that gave them a 1.5 percent raise for each year, comparable to the raise teachers were getting [based on experience or education],” Juenger said.

Juenger said his 6-percent raise is consistent with teachers who are retiring.